TBE 38

chapter 38

Without even realizing how time was passing, it was already finals season. Yoona was sitting on a bench outside the library with her female classmates, who she had grown close to. They had come outside because the air conditioning inside was too strong, but the heat outside was stifling.

“…Yoona unnie! Are you listening?”

“Uh, yeah?”

Yoona, who had been staring blankly while holding a can of soda, only snapped out of her daze when scolded by her classmate. Only then did she notice that everyone in the group was looking at her.

“Does it taste good? Mine’s just okay.”

“Oh, want to try?”

“Here, unnie, try this too. It tastes kind of bland. I need an expert opinion.”

The girls began tasting each other’s drinks amicably. They had all become friends since the festival, and perhaps because Yoona had left a strong impression back then, one by one, they started talking about that day, and eventually, they became a small group.

Yoona could never have imagined that coldly rejecting Yeongwon’s confession would lead to this outcome.

Since that day, no one had heard any news from Yeongwon, and Minhee suddenly applied for a leave of absence. He never apologized until the end.

“…”

Of course, Seoyeon was in the group as well. She sipped her soda while staring quietly at Yoona, who was sitting across from her. The unnie who had sparkled even when ignored seemed dimmer now among the noisy crowd.

It wasn’t hard to guess why. On the day of the festival, Yeongwon had left after Yoona had gathered people from another booth. After he left, Yoona had blankly lingered for a moment before abruptly leaving.

She hurriedly followed, asking permission from the people she had brought, and found him in the bathroom. Yoona had entered a stall and collapsed, crying her eyes out. Ever since that day, she had often been in a daze, even up to today.

Noticing Seoyeon’s gaze, Yoona held out her drink.

“Do you want some too, Seoyeon?”

“No thanks. Not much left anyway. You drink, unnie.”

After finishing their drinks, the girls sighed heavily and went back inside the library. Most students were already taking exams, so anyone trying to cram had to stay put.

Yoona sat next to Seoyeon. Carefully sliding her chair over, she pinched both her cheeks with her hands. She couldn’t help but think of Yeongwon, who always left with just a single “yes” whenever they entered a quiet space.

School life had actually stabilized since that day, and the previously bustling school community no longer posted anything related. And although she had gained the friends she had longed for, she still felt a hole in her chest.

“I’ll get used to it. School without Yeongwon.”

Patting her flushed cheeks, Yoona picked up her pen again. Having scored well on the midterms, she planned to aim high for the finals too. In the middle of studying, her phone, which had been on the desk, vibrated.

Startled by the sound, Yoona quickly picked it up. It was Changmin calling.

“…”

She remembered he had called yesterday as well. Thanks to Changmin spreading the word, some customers even ordered apology cakes separately, which she secretly appreciated. She went outside to take the call.

“Hello?”

• Boss, it’s been a while! You must be busy with exam prep these days, right?

“Ah… Yeongin… You must have heard from the executive director.”

• Yes! If I had known you were a student beforehand, I would have treated you to a meal before finals as encouragement. I respect how you balance school and business.

“Haha, no, not at all.”

• Anyway, there haven’t been any breakfast meetings for a while, and it’s been over a month since I last visited.

Changmin spoke as if disappointed at not seeing her for so long. True, she had only received occasional messages about the weather. Yoona replied politely.

“Yeah. So, the breakfast meetings are starting again?”

• Yes, it seems to be the start of the second-half drive. How much longer do you have until your exams?

“Two days. It’s almost over, so you don’t have to worry about ordering drinks. If it’s urgent, you could ask our staff to handle it for a day.”

• Ah, then I’ll visit in two days. Since your exams will be over, you’ll be at the café in the evening, right?

“I’ll be at work… You’re coming to the café in the evening?”

• Yes! Good luck with your remaining exams!

“Yes, uh… wait, Assistant Manager Changmin…!”

Before Yoona could ask why he was coming in the evening, the call ended. She stared blankly at the screen. Usually, conversations with Changmin were like this, but now it felt especially abrupt.

After exams, it would have been natural to hang out with friends, but Changmin’s visit was a little intimidating. Still, taking orders was important. Yoona exhaled lightly and turned around.

“…”

“…”

Her heart dropped. Yeongwon was standing right behind her. Her heart, which had fallen to her feet, began pounding again. He looked just as remarkable as ever.

Yoona swallowed the instinctive greeting that wanted to escape. She had told herself to act as if they had never known each other. Did he hear about her call with Changmin? Guilt made her lower her gaze. Yeongwon passed by silently, leaving only his lingering presence at her nose.

After seeing Yeongwon in the library, Yoona’s emotions became even more complicated. Nevertheless, she finished her exams safely. Postponing plans with her friends, she trudged to the café, unconsciously feeling the strap of her eco bag. Yet, her heart wasn’t in it.

“….”

Even though she had removed it herself, she still touched the bag whenever anxious, out of habit. She placed the eco bag in the storage room.

While chatting lightly with the staff, Changmin, dressed neatly in a suit, entered the café. He smiled brightly as soon as he arrived and handed Yoona a small paper bag.

“These are red ginseng sticks, Boss. You worked hard studying for your exams.”

“…Haha, thank you. Did you leave work?”

“Yes. I left on time today, pushing myself a little. I have a promise with you.”

“Ah… yes…”

Was this a “promise”? Confused, Yoona just nodded.

Changmin continued talking as if the café was empty. She had assumed he came to discuss a bulk order, but that wasn’t the case. Sharing stories from his university days, he suddenly suggested going out for dinner.

“…Dinner…?”

“I’m sorry for giving you work at dawn without realizing you were working both jobs. But this is a bribe for future cooperation.”

“…Just me?”

“I’d invite the staff too, but the café’s open hours are almost up, right?”

“….”

It was true, but Yoona felt awkward and glanced back at the staff. The staff caught her gaze and nudged her.

“Go ahead and leave, Boss. You weren’t supposed to come today anyway.”

Laughing, she pushed Yoona lightly. Yoona followed Changmin.

The college town was chaotic after exams. Streets and restaurants were packed with noisy students. The air felt oppressive, as if it were about to rain. Changmin spoke loudly to her the entire way.

Yoona’s heart raced as she followed him. He led her down familiar streets to a chicken soup restaurant—the same place she had visited with Yeongwon.

“Today is for replenishing all the energy lost to studying. This place is famous in this college town; the taste is guaranteed. It’s probably been around for twenty years? Even when I was a freshman, it was already ten years old. Seniors took me here after my exams, so I know it well.”

“…I see.”

Yoona laughed faintly, recalling Yeongwon’s brief introduction: “It’s an old place.”

Changmin and Yeongwon had completely different styles of eating chicken. Changmin gave a long lecture on how to eat properly, tearing the chicken apart with gloved hands. Yoona thought of Yeongwon, who had delicately eaten with utensils while talking softly.

Even though the food was tasty and nutritious, Yoona felt deflated. Honestly, it wasn’t as good as when she had eaten with Yeongwon. As they left the restaurant, Changmin noticed her mood and asked:

“Why the long face? Was it not good?”

“No, it was really good. Thank you. I’ll have to take better care of you since you even treated me to dinner.”

“Hm. You didn’t seem very happy… Should we go for round two? I know this area well—if you want alcohol, there’s a great pub, or if you want sweets, a peach pie specialty place…”

Changmin listed options as he tried to move the outing forward. Yoona felt suffocated.

Though she considered him a valued customer and accepted the dinner invitation, anything beyond that was hard to see as mere business hospitality. Besides, if anyone should be treated, it was Yoona.

She had learned the hard way what happens if she doesn’t draw clear boundaries—just a month ago.

Yoona lifted her gaze to Changmin.